As the accountancy and advisory firms Zampa Debattista and Mint Finance finalise preparations for a merger in January, one thing is clear - this is a strategic move that will benefit partners, employees and clients.

That is how the two companies have operated alone, and it is certain that the long term planning that saw them both achieve significant success over the last years will guide the way forward as they walk in-step. 

The next episode of The Boardroom, which will be aired on the WhosWho.mt Facebook Page on Monday 20th December at 11am, will have Zampa Debattista Co-Founding Partner John Debattista and Mint Finance Co-Founding Partner Mark Wirth joining business writer Jo Caruana, to speak about what prompted the merger between the two companies and how they complement each other.

They will also share their insight on the opportunities available and how to allay client concerns.

Finally, Mr Debattista and Mr Wirth will speak about the experience, Malta’s financial services industry is under the spotlight, and where the company sees itself going once the merger is complete.

The strategic move was started in January of 2021 and, according to Mr Debattista is in line with the strategy agreed by the company’s board pursuing its vision for 2026, enabling it to enhance its core specialisations further. He added that both firms share common values and beliefs which will better place Zampa Debattista to work towards raising the profession with “passion, integrity and honour.”

Mr Wirth meanwhile commented: “When we were approached by the partners at Zampa Debattista in January 2021, we immediately realised that the synergies between both firms were perfectly matched and that this merger would be beneficial to both our clients and employees, who are central to our vision.”

Zampa Debattista is an accounting, advisory and assurance firm, primarily focused on business operating internationally and its main areas of specialisation are VAT and Financial Reporting. It focuses on technical excellence and is a firm believer of specialisation.

Mint Finance is an accounting, audit and business advisory firm that was set up by Michael Agius-Vadala and Mr Wirth in early 2017, which has since grown to a team of approximately 20 professionals.

Mr Wirth graduated as an accountant from the University of Malta in 2010, after which he spent seven years working within the tax department of a Big 4 Firm.

He co-founded Mint Finance in early 2017, and grew the firm from two people to 20 within five years.

Following the merger, he will be appointed Partner at Zampa Debattista, where he will be responsible for managing and growing the accounting department as well as for the firm’s business development.

Mr Wirth is also actively involved at the Malta Institute of Accountants, sitting on both the Small and Medium-Sized Practitioners Forum as well as the Young Members Focus Group.

Meanwhile, Mr Debattista is a Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor.

Before Zampa Debattista, he occupied the post of audit manager in a medium-sized audit firm where he developed a specialisation in the financial services industry and remote gaming sector.

Mr Debattista is one of the founding partners at Zampa Debattista and heads the assurance function of the office. He is the IFRS leader and acts as an advisor on highly technical IFRS issues.

He has lectured at the final stages of the ACCA, namely the Corporate Reporting paper, as well as for the ACA course for the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW).

He has also been a speaker in various audit and accounting seminars delivered by several institutes in Malta. He also lectured the Diploma in IFRS provided by the Malta Institute of Accountants (DipIFR).

Mr Debattista has also worked abroad on several assignments that mainly relate to gaming and financial services.